Safety match book



Dec. 19, 1967 T. o. WILL 3,358,817

SAFETY MATCH BOOK Filed May 11, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I I I L 54 uunnnnnal: i=1: IEAR ON .DOTTED LINE Dec. 19, 1967 3,358,817

SAFETY MATCH BOOK Filed May 11, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 5'1 7"' J/ P4 47 L6 747 51 P4 P7 35 ThOdO/" N6. [1

BY W9 I ATTU 5 Dec. 19, 1967 T. o. WILL 3,358,

SAFETY MATCH BOOK Filed May 11, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BUSINESS REPLY CARD PERM/7' N0.

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I POSTAGE WILL BE PA 5) AAA.v Cor heodore mu ATTURNEYE' INVENTOR United States Patent 3,358,817 SAFETY MATCH BOOK Theodore 0. Will, 20 Winthrop Ave., Syosset, N.Y. 11791 Filed May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 550,085 12 Claims. (Cl. 206-29) This invention relates to match book folders. The invention concerns improvements in match book folders over those described in my prior United States Patents 2,784,838, 2,933,181 and 2,996,173.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a match book folder with tensioned panels arranged to spring open when disengaged, and to keep closed more securely when engaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a match book folder with detachable panels forming a safety protective inner shield resulting in a folded stub panel to provide on the cover a double panel thickness to hold the cover panel securely closed when inserted between the front narrow cover panel and the match layers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide safety to the user against inadvertent simultaneously lighting of the matches in the folder in open position to provide a safety protective inner shield in front of the matches in both closed and open positions and adapted to carry advertising matter.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first improved match book embodying the invention, the match book being shown in closed position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first match book, shown in partially open condition.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first match book shown in fully open condition.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a section of the first match book shown in fully open condition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the match book section of FIG. 5, shown in closed condition.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second match book, shown in closed condition.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second match book, shown in partially open condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third match book, shown in closed condition, with part broken away.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the third match book, shown in fully open condition, with another part broken away.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 are perspective views of fourth and fifth match books respectively, both shown in closed condition.

FIGS. 12 and 14 are plan views of the fourth and fifth match books respectively, both shown in fully open condition, part of the fifth match book being shown broken away.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sixth match book shown in closed condition.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sixth match book in partially open condition.

FIG. 17 is an oblique plan view of the sixth match book in a further open condition, with a mailable card shown partially torn away.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the seventh match book shown in closed condition.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the seventh match book shown in fully open condition, parts being broken away.

Referring first to FIGS. 14, there is shown a first match book B1 comprising a folder 20 made of a single integral rectangular strip of any flexible material preferably cardboard or paperboard. The strip is provided with five transverse folds of fold lines L1-L5 defining rectangular panels P1P6. Spaced a short distance from fold L4 in panel P5 is a transverse scored line S1 which can easily be torn to permit the major part of panel P5 and all of panel P6 to be separated from the remainder of the folder, leaving a narrow stub panel P5 between line S1 and fold L4.

Panel P1 is a narrow panel at the front of the book coated with a match striking layer 22 of conventional composition. Panel P2 forms the rectangular back of the match book. Between panels P1 and P2 is inserted two layers 23, 24 of paper strip matches. Staple 26 is inserted through the bases of the layers 23, 24 and through panels P1, P2 close to fold L1 to hold the matches in the folder. A major portion of the width of striking panel P1 is free to permit insertion of the match book cover between panel P1 and outer layer 24.

The heads 25 of the matches terminate close to transverse fold L2. Between folds L2 and L3 is defined narrow panel P3 which serves as the top panel of the closed match book. Adjacent panel P4 between folds L3 and L4 serves as the front cover panel of the match book. Panels P5 and P6 constitute an inner shield which is joined to front panel P4 at fold L4. The shield is folded only approximately in half at fold L5.

The dimensions of the panel folds are rather critical. The length of front cover panel P4 is equal to the length of adjacent inner shield panel P5. Innermost end shield panel P6 is longer than each of panels P4 and P5. The purpose of this arrangement will become apparent from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 2. The free end 28 of panel P6 fits into the match book between panel P1 and match layer 24. The fold L4 wedges into the match book between panel P1 and panel P6. At the same time the fold L5 presses into fold L3 with adjacent -panels P5, P6 of the shield filling the space and engaged bet-ween the heads 25 of the matches in layer 24 and front cover panel P4. This is a tight compact assembly. Panels P3 and P4 are tensioned at the corner defined by fold L3. Fold L4 is frictionally engaged between panel P1 and the free end 28 of panel P6 and the panels P5 and P6 are under compressive force in the direction of their length directed from fold L5 to fold L4.

The result of this tensioned and compressive arrangement, is that panels P4 and P5 spring open as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3 once fold L4 is manually released from the panel P1 and at the same time the innermost shield panel P6 is delayed and then drawn up to expose the matches only when in fully open position. Of course, during this opening operation, the user cannot help but see any advertising legend 30 which may be inscribed upon forwardly facing shield panels P5, P6. A further result of the tensioned and compressive arrangement of panels described, is that the front cover panel P4 is closed under tension so that the match book remains more securely closed than is possible in the match books described in my prior patents where this no-tensioned arrangement of panels is provided.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the purpose of the score line S1. The shield panels P5 and P6 can be torn off at the line S1 leaving a rough edge S1 at the end of stub panel P5 which remains attached to fold L4. The stub panel P5 can be folded inwardly as shown in FIG. 6 on fold L4 and the smooth folded edge L4 of cover panel P4 can then be inserted between the match layers and panel P1. The double thickness of the cover panel at the frictional engagement with panel P1 and the upper layer 24 of matches provided a more secure hold than is possible in conventional match books where there is no such double thickness of panels. The panels P5 and P6 can still if desired, be detached at joined fold line L4. This leaves only a single thickness and the edge at L4 could be rough and torn.

The second match book B2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is generally similar to the first match book B1 and corresponding parts having similar structure functions are identically numbered except panel P6 is shorter than panel P5. In match book E2, the folder 20a is extended by an additional inner rectangular shield panel P7. Panel P7 is integral with and joined to panel P6 at fold L6. This arrangement has a number of desirable advantages. There are four juxtaposed panels folded in an accordionlike manner at folds L4 and L6 and inserted between panel P1 and front rntach layer 24 instead of three panels as in book B1. This increases the frictional hold and closure of the match book. Furthermore, there are three juxtaposed panels P5, P6, P7 between panel P4 and match layer 24 instead of two panels as in book B1. This increases the tension on panel P3. As a result, a more secure closure of the match book is effected. The tensioned panels spring open and up more readily as indicated in FIG. 8, when fold L4 is disengaged from panel P1. Open panels P4, P5 draw out panels P6, P7. It should appear that the fold at L6 exerts pressure on opening against panels P4 and P5 to assist the opening.

The third match book B3 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is generally similar to match book B1, corresponding parts being identically numbered. In fold 29b of book B3 is generally U-shaped, narrow slit 32 is formed in panel P5 at fold L5. This defines a short stiff tab 34 on panel P6. This tab presses into fold L3 at its center, and further increases the tension on front cover panel P4 by lengthening panel P6 and tightly positions fold L5 into the fold L3 as best viewed in FIG. 9. This feature can be also used in the other forms of this invention.

Match book B4 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally similar to book B1 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Folder 200 of book B4 is extended by a further narrow end panel P6 joined at transverse fold L6. The narrow panel P6 folds inwardly as shown in FIG. 11 to provide four panel layers between panel P1 and match layer 24. This increases the frictional hold of the panels in closed position and assists the opening of the package by serving as a pop-up means by pushing against the matches. The narrow panel P6 affords additional safety by covering the matches. Furthermore, a longer advertising imprint 30 can be provided on panels P5, P6 and P6 than can be provided on panels P5 and P6 of book Bl.

Match book B5 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is generally the same as match book B2 of FIGS. 7 and 8. Folder d of book B5 has an additional narrow end panel P3 joined to panel P7 by fold L7. As a result, there are four panel layers between front cover panel P4 and match layer 24.

This increases the tension in panel P3 at fold L3. Thus, the match book stays more securely closed and opens up more readily than all the match books already described. The additional panel P8 affords additional safety by covering the matches and as well makes it possible to provide a longer advertising imprint 30" than can be provided on panels P5-P7 of book B2.

Match book B6 shown in FIGS. 15-17 is generally similar to match book B1 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Folder 20c of book B1 is wider transversely of the match book than folder with two staples 26, 26". This arrangement makes it possible to arrange detachable inner shield panels P5a and P6a as a folder mailable post card 50 conforming to postal regulations for mailing. It will be noted in PEG. 17 that the panels P4a and PSa' of the open book can be grasped at the fold L4 to facilitate tearing off the postcard at line S1. Match books B1, B4 and B5 can be grasped in the same manner for quickly detaching the shield panels. Cover panel P411 is equal in length to panel PM and innermost shield panel Pa is longer than panels P441, P551 to eifect the tensioning arrangement described in connection with book B1. Panels PM, PM and P311 are identical in function to panels Pl-P3 of book B1, except that they wider transversely of the book.

Match book B7 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is generally similar to match books B1, B2 and B6, and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Folder 20 of book B7 is extended by an additional panel P'Ia attached to panel Pfia by fold L6. This makes it possible to provide a longer detachable mailable postcard 50a on the removable inner shield. Of course, holding and tensioning advantages of four panel layers at panel PM and fold L3 are also obtained.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that improved match books are herein provided with better closure and opening capabilities than provided by prior match books.

It will be further apparent that the book match packages are made in various widths, such as 10 stick, 20 stick, 40 stick and so on, and that this invention is adaptable to all sizes.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A match book having easy opening and effective closure means comprising a folder formed by a substantially rectangular strip of flexible sheet material, said strip having a plurality of transverse folds defining and joining a plurality of panels, a first one of said panels being narrow and connected to a second longer panel by a first fold, a plurality of match layers having matches joined to base ends of the layers, said base ends being interposed between the first and second panels, fastener means engaging the match layers and the first and second panels to hold the match layers in the folder, said fastener means being positioned to accommodate interlocking innershield panels between the narrow first panel and the match layers, said first panel forming part of a front side of the folder and said second panel forming a rear cover side of the folder, 9. narrow third one of the panels joined to the second panel by a second fold and defining a top cover panel of the folder, a longer fourth panel joined to the third panel by a third fold and defining a front cover for the folder in cooperation with the first panel when disposed thereunder so as to form a complete outer cover, the portion of said strip disposed behind and between said front cover panels and match layers defining a safety protective innershield member for said matches positioned in front of and covering the matches when the strip is in fully folded and open position, said innershield member being joined at one end to the said front cover fourth panel by a fourth fold and having a plurality of further rectangular panels spaced with transverse folds between and behind said front cover panel and in front of the match layers and said other end of the strip, said first panel of the safety protective innershield member being a fifth panel joined to the fourth panel by the fourth fold, said fourth and fifth panels being equal in length and providing a joined end that fits tightly into the matchbook folder between the first narrow front panel and match layers and at least three panel thicknesses therebetween whereby to provide a secure pressurized frictional closure, said joined end thereby thrusting the fifth fold against the inside of the third fold and top cover panel so as to tension the third and fourth panel and to compress the fifth panel to hold the folder securely closed, whereby the fourth, fifth and remaining panels will spring open and away from the match layers when the fourth fold is disengaged from the first narrow panel, and to position and to draw the safety protective innershield member in position for closing said panelled inner shield member being longer in length than the combined length of the front cover fourth panel and the inner shield fifth panel joined thereto.

2. A match book as defined in claim 1, wherein said panelled strip including a further panel joined to the end of the endmost safety protective innershield panel by a transvers fold in an accordion-like manner to provide an additional panel and further panel thickness between the first panel and the match layers for increasing the pressurized frictional hold thereat and to facilitate opening the folder by springing against the matches, and thereby providing additional protective panels in front of the match layers in both the closed and open positions.

3. A match book as defined in claim 1, wherein said fifth panel has a slit defining a narrow tab at the fifth fold said tab extending from the sixth panel thereby lengthening a portion of the sixth panel, said tab pressing against the third fold to increase tension in the third and fourth panels when the folder is closed to assist in opening and closing the folder.

4. A match book as defined in claim 1, wherein the fifth panel has a transverse scored line to facilitate detaching the fifth and remaining panels, said scored line defining a narrow stub panel in the fifth panel and between the fourth and fifth folds which remains attached to the fourth front cover panel after the detachment has been made, said stub panel being foldable inwardly on the front cover panel to provide a double panel layer at the front fourth cover panel when the fifth and remaining panels are detached to still provide when the panels are detached a pressurized frictional hold for the front cover panel to facilitate opening the folder by springing against the matches and to maintain the fourth fold and provide a double thickness for reinsertion of the cover between the narrow first front panel and the match layers.

5. A match book as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of panels include a sixth panel joined to the fifth panel by a fifth fold, said sixth panel being longer than the fourth and fifth panels, said fifth and sixth panels defining the safety protective innershield member in front of the match layers, said fourth, fifth and sixth panels having juxtaposed ends fitting into the folder between the first panel and match layers to provide the secure pressurized frictional closure, said longer sixth panel at its end thrusting the fourth fold against the inside of the third fold and the top cover panel so as to tension the third and fourth panels and compress the fifth panel, whereby the folder is held securely closed and whereby the fourth, fifth and sixth panels swing open and away from the match layers when the fourth fold is disengaged from the first panel, said two panelled safety protective inner shield being longer in length than the combined length of the front cover fourth panel and the inner shield fifth panel joined thereto, the said longer length of the sixth panel thereby serving as a delaying means to keep the free end of the innershield cover engaged behind the first panel and in front of the match layers protectively covering the matches until the cover is in fully open position.

6. A match book as defined in claim 5, wherein said plurality of panels further include a sixth panel joined to the fifth panel by a fifth fold and a seventh rectangular end panel joined to the sixth panel by a sixth fold, said sixth panel being shorter in length than the fifth panel, said seventh panel being substantially of the length of said sixth panel to provide three juxtaposed panels folded in an accordion-like manner, between the cover and the match layers two folds being engageable behind said first panel and in front of the match layers, the endmost panel of the three panel safety protective innershield being adapted to spring outwardly against said matches serving as pop-up means to facilitate the opening of the folder, leaving the sixth and seventh panels in front of the matches in both the closed and open positions, said three panelled innershield being equal in length to the length of the combined front cover panel, of said protective innershield member top end panel, rear cover panel and the narrow first panel.

7. A match book as defined in claim 5, wherein said fifth panel of said protective innershield member has a slit defining a narrow tab at the fifth fold, said tab extending from the sixth panel thereby lengthening a portion of the sixth panel, said tab pressing against the third fold to increase tension in the third and fourth panels when the folder is closed to assist in opening and closing the folder.

8. A match book as defined in claim 6, wherein said fifth panel of said protective innershield member has a slit defining a narrow tab at the fifth fold, said tab extending from the sixth panel thereby lengthening a portion of the sixth panel, said tab pressing against the third fold to increase tension in the third and fourth panels when the folder is closed to assist in opening and closing the folder.

9. A match book as defined in claim 5, wherein said panelled strip further including a narrow panel joined to the end of the endmost innershield panel in an accordiontype manner provides additional panel and panel ends between the first panel and the match book layers for increasing the pressurized frictional hold thereat and to facilitate opening the folder by springing from the matches.

10. A match book as described in claim 6, wherein said panelled strip further including a narrow panel joined to the end of the endmost innershield panel in an accordion-type manner provides additional panel and panel ends between the first panel and the match book layers for increasing the pressurized frictional hold thereat and to facilitate opening the folder by springing from the matches.

11. A match book as described in claim 5, wherein the fifth panel has a transverse scored line to facilitate detaching the fifth and remaining panels, said scored line defining a narrow stub panel in the fifth panel and between the fourth and fifth folds, which remains attached to the fourth front cover panel after the detachment has been made, said stub panel being foldable inwardly on the front cover panel to provide a double panel layer at the front fourth cover panel when the fifth and remaining panels are detached to still provide when the panels are detached a pressurized frictional hold for the front cover panel to facilitate opening the folder by springing against the matches and to maintain the fourth fold and provide a double thickness for the reinsertion of the cover between the narrow first front panel and the match layers.

12. A match book as described in claim 6, wherein the fifth panel has a transverse scored line to facilitate detaching the fifth and remaining panels, said scored line defining a narrow stub panel in the fifth panel and between the fourth and fifth folds, which remains attached to the fourth front cover panel after the detachment has been made, said stub panel being foldable inwardly on the front cover panel to provide a double panel layer at the front fourth cover panel when the fifth and remaining panels are detached to still provide when the panels are detached a pressurized frictional hold for the front cover panel to facilitate opening the folder by springing against the matches and to maintain the fourth fold and provide a double thickness for the reinsertion of the cover between the narrow first front panel and the match layers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,157,740 5/1939 Quinlan 20629 2,623,686 12/1952 Covan 206-29 X 3,038,595 1/1962 Janus 206--29 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Examiner.

J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MATCH BOOK HAVING EASY OPENING AND EFFECTIVE CLOSURE MEANS COMPRISING A FOLDER FORMED BY A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR STRIP OF FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL, SAID STRIP HAVING A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE FOLDS DEFINING AND JOINING A PLURALITY OF PANELS, A FIRST ONE OF SAID PANELS BEING NARROW AND CONNECTED TO A SECOND LONGER PANEL BY A FIRST FOLD, A PLURALITY OF MATCH LAYERS HAVING MATCHES JOINED TO BASE ENDS OF THE LAYERS, SAID BASE ENDS BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND PANELS, FASTENER MEANS ENGAGING THE MATCH LAYERS AND THE FIRST AND SECOND PANELS TO HOLD THE MATCH LAYERS IN THE FOLDER, SAID FASTENER MEANS BEING POSITIONED TO ACCOMMODATE INTERLOCKING INNERSHIELD PANELS BETWEEN THE NARROW FIRST PANEL AND THE MATCH LAYERS, SAID FIRST PANEL FORMING PART OF A FRONT SIDE OF THE FOLDER AND SAID SECOND PANEL FORMING A REAR COVER SIDE OF THE FOLDER, A NARROW THIRD ONE OF THE PANELS JOINED TO THE SECOND PANEL BY A SECOND FOLD AND DEFINING A TOP COVER PANEL OF THE FOLDER, A LONGER FOURTH PANEL JOINED TO THE THIRD PANEL BY A THIRD FOLD AND DEFINING A FRONT COVER FOR THE FOLDER IN COOPERATION WITH THE FIRST PANEL WHEN DISPOSED THEREUNDER SO AS TO FORM A COMPLETE OUTER COVER, THE PORTION OF SAID STRIP DISPOSED BEHIND AND BETWEEN SAID FRONT COVER PANELS AND MATCH LAYERS DEFINING A SAFETY PROTECTIVE INNERSHIELD MEMBER FOR SAID MATCHES POSITIONED IN FRONT AND COVERING THE MATCHES WHEN THE STRIP IS IN FULLY FOLDED AND OPEN POSITION, SAID INNERSHIELD MEMBER BEING JOINED AT ONE END TO THE SAID FRONT COVER FOURTH PANEL BY A FOURTH FOLD AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF FURTHER RECTANGULAR PANELS SPACED WITH TRANSVERSE FOLDS BETWEEN AND BEHIND SAID FRONT COVER PANEL AND IN FRONT OF THE MATCH LAYERS AND SAID OTHER END OF THE STRIP, SAID FIRST PANEL OF THE SAFETY PROTECTIVE INNERSHIELD MEMBER BEING A FIFTH PANEL JOINED TO THE FOURTH PANEL BY THE FOURTH FOLD, SAID FOURTH AND FIFTH PANELS BEING EQUAL IN LENGTH AND PROVIDING A JOINED END THAT FITS TIGHTLY INTO THE MATCHBOOK FOLDER BETWEEN THE FIRST NARROW FRONT PANEL AND MATCH LAYERS AND AT LEAST THREE PANEL THICKNESS THEREBETWEEN WHEREBY TO PROVIDE A SECURE PRESSURIZED FRICTIONAL CLOSURE, SAID JOINED END THEREBY THRUSTING THE FIFTH FOLD AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE THIRD FOLD AND TOP COVER PANEL SO AS TO TENSION THE THRID AND FOURTH PANEL AND TO COMPRESS THE FIFTH PANEL TO HOLD THE FOLDER SECURELY CLOSED, WHEREBY THE FOURTH, FIFTH AND REMAINING PANELS WILL SPRING OPEN AND AWAY FROM THE MATCH LAYERS WHEN THE FOURTH FOLD IS DISENGAGED FROM THE FIRST NARROW PANEL, AND TO POSITION AND TO DRAW THE SAFETY PROTECTIVE INNERSHIELD MEMBER IN POSITION FOR CLOSING SAID PANELLED INNER SHIELD MEMBER BEING LONGER IN LENGTH THAN THE COMBINED LENGTH OF THE FRONT CONVER FOURTH PANEL AND THE INNER SHIELD FIFTH PANEL JOINED THERETO. 